New, Old Faces In The Mix

Cairns Deal Set

Talks For Mellanby Deepen

July 6, 2004|By Michael Russo Staff Writer

Looking to beef up the back line with an intimidating presence, the Panthers have agreed to terms with rugged 6-foot-6 defenseman Eric Cairns.

Cairns, who has spent his entire eight-year career in New York playing for the Rangers and Islanders, will sign a three-year deal this week worth about $750,000 a season plus performance bonuses that could raise his yearly salary to as much as $900,000.

But bigger news could be forthcoming.

General Manager Mike Keenan said Monday that he planned to begin negotiations with agent Steve Mountain in hopes of bringing back the Panthers' all-time leading scorer, Scott Mellanby. Last week, Mellanby, 38, who played the past four seasons in St. Louis, said he'd be interested in returning to the team he once captained.

"I spoke to his agent briefly over the weekend and I'd like to really hone in on those discussions," Keenan said. "Sooner rather than later, I'll have an opportunity to speak to his agent again and see if we can work something out. Definitely, I have interest in Scott."

A third-round pick of the Rangers in 1992, Cairns, 30, played in Manhattan for two years before the Islanders claimed him off waivers in 1998. He spent six seasons on Long Island before his Islanders career ended poorly.

In Game 1 of the quarterfinals against Tampa Bay, a pair of Cairns turnovers resulted in goals by Andre Roy and Fredrik Modin. Cairns was scratched the rest of the series and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer June 30 after Islanders GM Mike Milbury wasn't able to trade him.

While defensively Cairns probably isn't an upgrade to Lyle Odelein, Pavel Trnka and Andreas Lilja, who weren't re-signed last week, Keenan feels Cairns will be able to play regularly for coach Jacques Martin.

"You look at his ice time with the Islanders, he played 11 minutes, 12 minutes," Keenan said. "He's a big man and again, part of what we're trying to obtain here are experienced people."

Cairns is one of the league's toughest fighters, having 32 the past two years and 1,053 penalty minutes in 406 games.

This is the major reason Keenan targeted him. Last season, the Panthers lacked an intimidating presence, especially during the 25 games Darcy Hordichuk missed with a broken foot and broken hand.

"He brings a physical element, a physical presence to the team," Keenan said of Cairns. "Darcy will get more support and all the players will feel there's a more experienced individual in the lineup, which is important for a young team.

"This is the type of team we want to build. We want to create a personality of a team that plays very competitively. We don't want to be easy to play against. We want a team that stands up and believes in itself and will come to the aid of each other. Eric will help bring that element."

Keenan said the Panthers are interested in some high-profile free agents, "but we still don't have a sense of what that market is yet" because none of those players has signed.

McLennan is pumped

Jamie McLennan, looking forward to his new role as the Panthers' backup goalie, is planning a trip to South Florida to get to know the area and the team.

"I'm just very excited to be going to an up-and-coming team," McLennan, 33, said. "I've heard nothing but positive things about the direction the team's heading. I have a history with Mike Keenan because he signed me in St. Louis, and Jacques' success ratio as coach is outstanding."

He's also excited about working with Roberto Luongo.

"I've met him before and he's a great guy," McLennan said. "To play with a young superstar, it's going to be exciting to help him any way I can and to watch him develop into an even better goaltender. I'm a veteran guy who likes to joke around and keep things light, so I'm hoping to help the team jell and push us to the next level."

ERIC CAIRNS

Born: Oakville, Ontario.

Age: 30 (June 27, 1974).

Position: Defenseman. Shoots: Left.

Height: 6-6. Weight: 232.

Comments: One reason why Rangers-Islanders games have been so fun over the years is because you always knew Cairns was going to throw down his gloves. However, he has been known to let his emotions get the best of him and easily gets goaded into ill-timed penalties. But he's one of the NHL's most intimidating fighters and physical presences.